The Diocese of Chelmsford, ‘the Church of England in East London and Essex,’ is led by the Bishop of Chelmsford, assisted by three Area Bishops (Barking, Bradwell and Colchester) and seven Archdeacons.

The Diocese covers more than 1,500 square miles that stretches from the East coast to the Thames and ranges from countryside to towns and suburbs. It comprises five East London boroughs, the county of Essex, and the unitary authorities of Southend and Thurrock. Chelmsford is the second largest diocese in England with a population in excess of 3.2 million people, 469 parishes, 316 benefices, 579 churches, 139 church schools with around 500 clergy and 200 Licensed Lay Ministers.

The job holder will hold the equivalent of a full-time clergy post, working up to a maximum of 48 hours per week. It is expected that the job holder will split their time equally between the between the two roles taking account of the necessary demands for each role.

Outline of Terms and Conditions

The postholder will undertake the following duties listed in this job description. However, these should be read in the context of the attached document ‘What does an ARU Chaplain do?’.

1. Sent by the Diocese of Chelmsford to engage in the life of the Chelmsford Campus as one who is in but not wholly of the institution, including to provide pastoral care and support to students and staff, to develop the multi-faith team and to build relationships between the University and the City of Chelmsford, including for the advancement of the University’s ecological ambitions.

1. To provide pastoral care to university staff and students (working with other staff in our University in doing so), including:

• To support the University’s response to critical incidents/student death

• To support the work of student societies as appropriate
• To support or advise spiritually at the request of the individual
• Refer students or staff who might benefit from specialist support (e.g., counselling) to the relevant University service.
• To work in partnership with Student and Library Services to provide pastoral care.

1. To provide Christian ministry within an interfaith chaplaincy, including to help people explore their faith and to consider implementing spiritual and social activities,

1. To be responsible for supporting interfaith chaplaincy and the management of the Chaplaincy Team in Chelmsford, including to build the multi -faith team across the campus.

1. To support university structures and community life, including sharing some fun, within and beyond our university, including attending events such as Freshers Week.

1. To participate in the life of the Chaplaincy Council and to report team activities to each meeting as well as making professional contributions to new and planned initiatives.

1. To make a contribution to wider university activities, as agreed

1. To take part in the Review of Ministry established by the Diocese for its clergy.

1. To pursue appropriate continuing professional development and apply learning and practice as appropriate to the role.

1. To undertake Diocesan Safeguarding Training and to have due regard for the House of Bishops Clear Guidance on Safeguarding, including the policy and practice guidance.

1. Such other duties temporarily or on a continuing basis, as may reasonably be required after due consultation.

The Chaplaincy Council is renewing its life and relationships, and to that end will be holding an “awayday” on Wednesday 18 January 2023. This will be the ideal opportunity for the new chaplain to meet and start building relationships with the Council.

Attributes are essential unless otherwise stated

The overarching Qualities and Character required for the role

• A community brain: someone who will love Chelmsford, and using methodologies such as Community Organising will support the University as it forms partnerships with the city, its institutions and its churches, including St John’s Moulsham
• The heart of a companion: someone who is deeply and securely rooted in Christ and will not shrink from “being there” for staff and students, especially at moments of stress, transition and tragedy, but also through availability at predictable times and places
• An ecological spirit: someone who embraces and champion’s the University’s ecological ambitions, and helps staff, students and Chelmsford fellow-citizens to embrace sustainability in practical ways
• A team-builder: someone who will seek to build the interfaith team and its morale, and empower them to care and help develop the potential of each staff-member and student,

Qualifications and Knowledge

• Ordination in the Church of England or a Church in communion with it
• A degree in Theology
• Postgraduate study (desirable)
• Anglican Ministerial Training
• Successful completion of IME2 training.
• Awareness of safeguarding issues. Up-to-date with safeguarding training.

Experience

• Proven ability to build teams fruitfully and collaboratively
• Experience of ministry in educational contexts (desirable)
• Proven experience of offering pastoral care
• Experience of working with diverse communities
• Experience of working in inter-faith contexts (desirable)
• For those from outside the UK: Experience of working with people from the UK (desirable)
• For those from the UK: Experience of working in international or multicultural contexts (desirable)
• Experience of community organising or similar approaches
• Experience of an ecological project and the ability to relate theology to creation care
• Experience of eco church (desirable).

Skills

• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to interpret faith and belief within the public square and academy
• Appropriate time-management skills
• Understanding of IT systems (Word, Outlook, social media)
• More advanced IT skills: Excel, PowerPoint, website design and maintenance (desirable)
• A non-theological area of expertise that could enrich the University and Diocese (desirable).
• Able to travel around the City of Chelmsford. A driving licence and access to private transport is desirable.

Dispositions

• Energy, creativity and enthusiasm
• Confident in own faith, and able to articulate it
• A robust spiritual life
• Enjoying managing ‘prayer spaces’
• Comfortable with working with Christians with a breadth of theological traditions in a spirit of generous orthodoxy
• Committed to ensuring healthy, positive interfaith relationships and relationships of those of no faith
• Inclusive and non-judgemental; a natural companion
• A partner supporting the common good of the community mission and the ambitions of the University.

Further Information

Further information about the ARU Chaplain and Priest in Charge at St John the Evangelist vacancy can be found at: -

• More about Anglia Ruskin University can be found here
• More about Chelmsford Diocesan can be found here
• St John’s Moulsham Facebook page can be found here
• More about St John the Evangelist Moulsham can be found here

For an informal conversation about the vacancy, please contact: -

• The Venerable Mike Power, the Archdeacon of Southend at a.southend@chelmsford.anglican.org
• Revd Canon Tim Ball, the Area Dean of Chelmsford at twbafb@gmail.com
• Libby Horner, Director of Student Support and Library Services at libby.homer@aru.ac.uk
• David Walmsley, Assistant Director of Student Support and Library Services at david.walmsley@aru.ac.uk
• Revd Canon Andy Griffiths, the Chair of the Chaplaincy Council at agriffiths@chelmsford.anglican.org